Pediatrics & Therapeutics
Open Access

Abstract

Recurrent Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura: Interesting Case of a Child with 5 Recurrences

Mohd Adnan, Arshad Anjum, Syed Manazir Ali and Tarique Ekram

Immune thrombocytopenic purpura [ITP], also known as idiopathic or autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura, is a benign hematological disorder characterized by a low circulating platelet count, caused by destruction of antibodysensitized platelets in the reticuloendothelial system. It is a common cause of acquired thrombocytopenia particularly in children, which often remits in weeks to years. ITP can be classified based on duration of thrombocytopenia as acute and chronic form. Recurrent ITP is defined as recurrence of symptoms, after at least three months of remission without treatment. It is rare entity and seen in just 5% of all ITP cases. Further, its treatment is often cumbersome and warrants use of non-conventional drugs and splenectomy. We report a case of ITP in a 9 year old boy, who presented with five recurrences and all episodes were successfully treated with just oral prednisolone.